John MacArthur (1939-2025)

John MacArthur went home this week and is now with the Lord. He was a faithful minister of God's Word in his preaching and speaking and writing. He was a faithful pastor who cared deeply for his flock. I don't think we can measure his influence: his sermons, books, and conferences have reached incredible numbers of people; the university and seminary have trained up generations; missionaries and training centres around the world have helped train up local men for ministry.

It's the trickle-down effect in practice. John MacArthur taught and preached and trained men; these men to on to teach and preach and train other men; those men.... You get the picture. Churches and families and individuals around the world are taught and changed and sanctified through the on-going influence of his ministry.

In my own life, John MacArthur's influence was mostly indirect. I sat under his preaching one Sunday many years ago, I've read some of his books, and I hear him on the radio sometimes. Mostly, though, his influence on me is seen through the faithful pastors in my life. Many years ago I had pastors who had not been trained in The Master's Seminary, but who had still be taught by him through conferences and books. Now I have pastors who were at the seminary and who learned to faithfully bring the word of God to us every week, so I too am blessed by his ministry.

I am sorrowful that the world has lost John MacArthur. At the same time, his books and sermons will continue to teach and encourage the sheep, and maybe reach more of the lost sheep. And his legacy will continue through the men he trained up to carry on the work.